JPH07504988A - A device that acts as a thermal history indicator, especially for frozen products, etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] In particular, the field of equipment technology that acts as a thermal history indicator for frozen products, etc. This invention relates to a device useful as a thermal indicator, particularly for frozen products and the like.

Frozen food products9. It should be preserved and should not be thawed and refrozen under any circumstances. is common sense. Currently, there is no way to check the actual thermal history of frozen foods, such as frozen foods. do not have. Therefore, consumers must choose between the frozen food sections of two food stores. However, it is not possible to determine the thermal history of these items. The purchaser is completely responsible for We have no choice but to rely on the concept of "trust," which has no scientific relevance. The same problem remains valid such as pharmaceutical products that must be stored at temperatures well below room temperature in order to .

This also applies to numerous other items.

As far as these products are concerned, this medicinal product has not been exposed to high temperatures that may have impaired its properties. There is no known way to know if you have been exposed to or sourced directly.

Industrial applicability It is an object of this invention to specifically design frozen products, etc. Indicates that the product has experienced a temperature rise above the standard and is recommended for 9 hours and proper storage. Heat, which provides information about whether you have been exposed to temperature changes beyond the recommended temperature. The purpose is to provide an indicator of history.

The above items can be exposed to temperature increases not exceeding O''C at any time and at least It is well known that Kanjo maintains its frozen state. However, if -18°C Even if an unwanted biological process is stopped in or -4°C, so their occurrence was previously pointed out to be around -18°C. It is a function of the time of exposure to temperatures above the recommended temperature.

Disclosure of invention Therefore, 1. The purpose of this invention is to display the thermal history of frozen products and to An object of the present invention is to provide a device that displays the time of exposure to a high temperature.

According to the invention, when the device is triggered the preloaded elastic element and the A device based on cooperation between fluid materials of controlled viscosity that is a function of , the indicator combined with this elastic member or the frozen product on sale to the consumer immediately. Indicates whether the product has undergone "thermal mishandling" that makes it unfit for consumption.

The invention will now be described in a non-limiting manner by means of preferred embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a cross-section taken along plane 1--2 in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of a second embodiment of the device in question.

FIG. 4 shows a cross section along plane IV-11/ of FIG.

FIG. 5 shows a partial sectional view of a triangular tool for an apparatus according to the invention.

Figure 6 is a temperature/viscosity diagram of parts designed for use in the device according to the invention. shows.

Modes for carrying out this invention Referring to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the device is shown with a lid 11. FIG.

It includes a case made of transparent material, indicated at 10.

In this case, as will be explained in more detail later, the Contains a mixture of a predetermined viscosity.

Inside this case 10, there is a neutral buoyancy indicator 13.

15 the tension fixed to the indicator 13 of the lever and 16 the left end of the case 10 of the lever A tensile force is applied in the direction of arrow F by the spring 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, this member 13 is connected to the wall of this case 10 and The right side of this case lO is is held in position. The purpose of this bin will be explained later.

An elastic gasket can be placed in the area intersecting this bin 17, which is.

Self-healing seal to prevent fluid leakage after thawing and removal of bottle 17 It will act as an element.

This gasket is not shown in the drawing for simplicity or after being exposed to low temperatures. It will also consist of an elastomer that retains its natural healing sealing properties. Suitable material is silicon It's probably a mold elastomer. The above is an embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which will be discussed later. Also applies to

3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the device of the invention. Figures 1 and 2 Parts corresponding to parts shall be given similar reference numbers.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the helical spring 14 of FIG. It has been replaced by a leaf spring 18 that supported the indicator 19.

At an early stage of this assembly, cases 1o and 10' are shown in Figures 1 and 3. rotated 90° to the ratio, and fluids 12 and I2° of the types specified below, respectively. 20. Fill to a height of 20'. The lid 11.11' is then heat welded or similar Tighten by law.

At this stage the indicators 18,19 will be in the position shown in Figure 2.

When actually used, this case 10.10' can be used as packaging for frozen foods or standard Tightly fasten to package to be frozen at freezing temperature -18/-20''C.

Before shipping this frozen product equipped with the device according to the invention, it must be turned “on”. Must be. This can be achieved as shown in FIG. In other words, bench Using the tool, grab the bottle head 17 and pull it in the direction of arrow T. 1 display 13 (or 19 in FIG. 3).

According to the practical configuration of this device, the removal of this "bin" 17 (17') is a simple This can be done by mechanical force, or this bottle 17 (17”) can be or other high thermal conductivity material and preheat this element 3o to make this bottle 17 (17') can be easily removed.

At this stage the device is turned on. It is a function of temperature. fluid or material ! After 1 hour as a result of the viscosity of 2 (12°), the pressure in spring 14 or 18 For 2 indicators 13 or 19 will arrive at positions 13A, 19A respectively .

The viscosity of the medium 12 is, if the thermal history and indicators of this frozen product are in accordance with specified standards.

At the end of the expected life of this cold chain or properly maintained frozen product, Choose a position such as 13Δ, 19A. In this case, 9 hours is 6n uninterrupted. Equal to viscosity/(friction surface radius)/elastic constant of spring.

If the cold chain is not followed, depending on the degree of mishandling of refrigeration, the temperature will be reduced to ff1 somewhat earlier. 13A or 19A, so consumers should be warned about proper handling of the product. I can do something.

Among the various mixtures of media 12.12' contemplated according to the invention, there are is a mixture of glycerin and water 6596 (05 stokes at -20°C); It is non-toxic and is almost in harmony with biological processes as shown qualitatively in Figure 6. It is especially useful for reacting.

Those skilled in the art will, of course, be familiar with the practical implementation of the technical principles underlying this invention. It will be appreciated that a number of changes can be considered when making changes. i.e. those is the elastic constant of the spring, the spatial variation fIZ of the “viscous action”, and this call 1-check. the addition of mechanical configurations to punish deviations from standard standards differently, and Is there another way to turn this device on?

Moreover, this device based on the technical principles underlying this invention is , it will be applicable to fields other than frozen foods. response for a given temperature range. By choosing materials that are a function of temperature or temperature indicated for cryogenic or chamber It can also be applied to temperatures close to 100 mL.

Continuation of front page (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, DE.

DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE) , 0A (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, ML, MR, NE, SN.

TD, TG), AT, AU, BB, BG, BR, CA.

CH, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FI, GB, HU, JP, KP , KR, LK, LU, MG, MN, MW, NL, No, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE.

SK, UA, US

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. This device is useful as an indicator of thermal history, that is, for frozen products, etc., and is a function of temperature. a container of non-opaque material for containing a fluid of controlled viscosity; an elastic part of a controlled shape that can move around in this fluid as a result of the return force of the product. moving parts; and holding such moving parts in their initial position at room temperature when refrigeration is carried out; consisting of a releasable retaining means arranged to After the release of the bundle element, this movable part moves as a result of the force exerted by the elastic element. , this frozen product etc. displaces and assumes different positions in time which is a function of the fluid viscosity. According to the temperature increase it has undergone and the time that has elapsed since the restraining element was released, its A device adapted to provide information about its history. 2. In the display according to claim 1, the movable part is visible from the outside of the container. A display device characterized by acting as a display device for displaying information. 3. The display device according to claim 2, characterized in that the elastic element is composed of a spring. An indicator that indicates a sign. 4. In the display according to claim 3, the movable element has a limited size. Therefore, the movable element is fastened to the spring consisting of a helical spring, and the movable element is An indicator characterized in that it is made of a material that has neutral buoyancy inside. 5. In the display according to claim 3, the movable element has a limited size. This is a display device characterized by being fastened to this spring, which is a leaf spring. 6. An indicator according to one or more of the above claims, wherein the elastic element is Consisting of pins placed in such a way that they are subjected to mechanical stress and removed after freezing A display device featuring: 7. In the display according to claim 6, a self-sealing gasket is provided on the container. An indicator characterized in that it is provided in an area that should intersect with the pins of. 8. The indicator according to claim 7, wherein the pin simultaneously applies a tensile force and local heating. An indicator characterized by removal by addition. 9. Essentially as stated in the above claims and explained with reference to the relevant drawings, A thermal history indicator especially designed for frozen products.